Tree Board meeting 1.21.2022

Detailed briefing

Tree Advisory Board — January 21, 2022 ATTENDEES: Roll call listed Patrick Wise, Nancy Rondell, Karen Stroud Donnelly, and Dan Moldman; the board reported four of five seats filled. • The board approved its previous meeting minutes and elected Karen Stroud Donnelly as chair. Dana was elected vice chair; the transcript does not give Dana’s surname. • Members began detailed planning for Arbor Fest, discussed for May 28 at Kiwanis Park. Exact event hours were not set. Members compared a prior 9 a.m.–noon format with a possible later schedule that could overlap with the farmers market. • Proposed Arbor Fest activities included tree-identification walks on the disc-golf trail, a children’s scavenger hunt or bingo activity, bird feeders, natural-art projects, school poster displays, and possible talks on tree selection and the historical uses of trees. The board also discussed a potential stewardship or trail-cleanup activity, but said it should be coordinated with those already maintaining the area. • White pine seedlings were discussed as a possible giveaway, with members noting they are tolerant of varied planting conditions but can be browsed by deer. The board did not approve a final quantity or order. It did note that all seedlings from the prior year were distributed. • Possible tree-climbing and bucket-truck activities were raised as memorable experiences for children. Members emphasized that these ideas need review for safety, equipment ratings, staffing, cost, and liability before they can be implemented. • In reviewing the city’s tree-plan implementation matrix, the board agreed to remove proposed lists of trees deemed unsuitable or prohibited for public planting. It regarded existing “right tree, right place” work as completed, but deferred broader discussion of watering, tree-base protection, tree replacement after removals, and trimming practices. Worth watching: • Staff will compile Arbor Fest ideas into a more detailed plan and investigate bucket-truck feasibility. • Members will send possible alternate meeting days to staff, who will check whether a prospective member would serve if the schedule changes. • The implementation-matrix review remains unfinished and will return at a future meeting. Upcoming: The board plans to continue Arbor Fest planning before the May 28 event and revisit the implementation matrix at its next meeting. Why it matters: The board is shaping the city’s annual tree-focused public event while considering longer-term standards for planting, maintaining, and replacing public trees.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.